While Yamaha Corporation first began producing pianos in 1887, it wasn’t until 1941 that the idea and opportunity to venture into the powersports industry presented itself.
During World War II, the Nippon Gakki (Yamaha) Factory in Japan had transformed into a munitions plant to produce aircraft propellers, wings and auxiliary fuel tanks. As the war ended, founder Torakusu Yamaha saw the potential of using the same machinery to transition to motorcycle production.
The idea became a reality on July 1, 1955, when Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., was formally established and debuted the 125-cc YA-1 – it’s very first motorcycle.
Yamaha Motor Canada expanded a great deal in the 1980s, introducing ATVs and generators in 1981, outboards in 1982, snowblowers in 1983 and WaveRunners in 1987. This meant every Canadian could find a Yamaha to enjoy from coast to coast, no matter the terrain.
With the expansion of products in the Canadian market, Yamaha Motor Canada was recognized and awarded the prestigious Presidential Award by Yamaha Motor Co., of Japan in 1987. But it wasn’t just the company winning awards. In 1990, a team of Yamaha VK540 snowmobiles won the first Harricana International Snowmobile Rally in Canada.
The newest additions to the Yamaha line in Canada came in 2004 with the release of side-by-sides, in 2006 with Sport Boats and G3 Boats, and pressure washers in 2013. Most recently, Yamaha’s Power Assist Bicycles were introduced to the Canadian market, 30 years after its initial launch by Yamaha Motor Corporation. The vast array of Yamaha products available in Canada has solidified the brand as one that customers can rely on to work or play outdoors.
Today, as the company celebrates 50 years in Canada, it’s become a leader in sharing the Yamaha brand on a global scale. With roughly 400 dealerships across the country and recognized as one of the Greater Toronto Area’s Top 50 Employers in 2023, Yamaha Motor Canada is proud to offer the joy and excitement of owning a Yamaha to all Canadians and looks forward to bringing more exceptional and innovative products to the Canadian market for the next 50 years and beyond.